The Board of Control for Cricket in India is not averse to use bullying tactics, but are unlikely to go as far as jeopardise the Champions Trophy over the ICC Cricket Committee controversy.
Amid reports of India mulling to pull out of the one-day event to be held in England next
month, a board official said the two issues are unrelated. “What has Siva’s appointment in the cricket committee (and the controversy surrounding it) to do with India playing in the Champions Trophy? India will play,” said a senior Board official.

SHUKLA STOKES FIRE

However, Rajeev Shukla, vice-president of BCCI, said: “Currently we have decided to participate in the Champions Trophy. But everything will depend on the outcome on the issue of Sivaramakrishnan's appointment in the ICC's Cricket Committee.”

Laxman Sivaramakrishnan's appointment to the ICC Cricket Committee triggered a controversy with the international players’ association, FICA, alleging the Indian board had manipulated the results by forcing a re-vote.

FICA has asked the ICC to refer the matter to its ethics committee and the BCCI is against any such step. If it happens, then it will snowball into a major controversy and the BCCI likely to toughen its stand.

The BCCI though has received support from its Asian allies Sri Lanka and Pakistan who claimed allegations of forcing a re-vote were baseless.

The furore over the appointment seemed to have created a rift in the cricket world with the Asian countries throwing their weight behind BCCI, which is apparently unhappy with all the noises being made over the former leg-spinner's appointment to the current player's committee.

Sri Lanka and Pakistan Crickets Boards have backed the BCCI. "It's very unfortunate see allegations come when an Asian or an Indian player comes into play. When it comes to Sivaramakrishnan serving in the cricket committee, we look at his cricketing ability," said Sri Lanka Cricket's secretary Nishantha Ranatunga.